Nedra Yost
Self
La Quinta,CA
33
years of professional experience
Results-oriented, innovative, and assertive Director with years of experience in project management and leadership of large teams. Proven track record in managing project/product managers, quality engineers, and technical writers. Expertise in creating and implementing effective processes through strategic resource management, recruitment, and training.
Work History
Project Manager Remote
8 Years- Led project planning and execution for diverse client initiatives.
- Developed comprehensive project timelines and budgets to optimize resource allocation and minimize risks.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance communication.
- Streamline project workflows effectively, occasionally acting as Product Manager.
Project/Product Manager
2 Years 5 Months- Led cross-functional teams to develop and launch innovative financial products.
- Established product roadmaps, prioritizing features based on customer feedback and business objectives.
- Collaborated with engineering and design teams to ensure product alignment with user needs.
- Analyzed market trends to identify opportunities for product enhancement and customer engagement.
Director of Operations
8 Months- Established infrastructure supporting operations for start-up online website.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and enhance operational efficiency and streamline processes.
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to optimize resource allocation and reduce costs.
- Implementation of software metrics to accurately monitor and maintain an effective, high-quality website.
Director of Quality Assurance
5 Years- Established QA organization, created and maintained supporting tools, departments, job descriptions and processes.
- Successfully implemented black box, white box, regression and performance testing within an isolated test system – test case management, auto build environment with unit test. Completed Sarbanes-Oxley compliance with all of our existing processes.
- Mentored cross-functional teams on best practices in quality management and continuous improvement.
- Setup and supervised Product and Project management positions.
Director of Training, Project Manager
2 Years- Acquired, developed, and trained additional project managers. I implemented a comprehensive company-wide project manager training program.
- Recruited and trained over 15 staff to enhance the company’s project manager staffing capabilities.
- Developed training programs to enhance employee performance and skill sets.
- Spearheaded assessment initiatives to identify training needs and improve program effectiveness across departments.
Microsoft SQL Consultant
3 Years- Designed, set up, and trained SQL installations, managed the rollout plan, and established a maintenance and backup strategy.
- Collaborated with third-party vendors, internal customers, and developers to design, implement, and roll out a key manufacturing system for all Gates Rubber manufacturing plants.
- Consulted developers, consultants and all aspects of database design, performance tuning and interface structure surrounding the SQL database.
- Automated the software installation and database setup for a Microsoft SQL database for customers nationwide, transitioning from SQL 6.0 to SQL 7.0.
Director QA, PM and PD
4 Years- Developed Quality Assurance department from four to ten employees, enhancing testing across multiple markets, software platforms, and in-house custom hardware.
- Created quality assurance policies and procedures including: testing procedures, scripting routines, testing software, issue tracking management, documentation formats and templates.
- Designed and managed software rollout across 500 theatres nationwide completed in 14 months.
- Coordinated resources and tested projects across three offices in Colorado, UK, and Germany, ensuring alignment and consistency in quality standards.
- Designed retail/food inventory application with three developers, delivering project within eighteen months.
Corporate Trainer/ QA / Product Management
4 Years- Designed, implemented and conducted new employee training, continuing education, sales manager courses and inter-departmental training.
- Boosted customer service revenue by 5% through development and execution of group seminar training programs.
- Improved the revenue potential ramp up of new employees by reorganizing the training program into modules, which reduced the initial training from 12 weeks to 8 weeks.
- Improved customer satisfaction by designing structured training outlines, detailed checklists, and comprehensive training materials for employees and customers.
- Led project management efforts for software installations across various venues.
- Planned software installations in hotels, casinos, cruise ships, and amusement parks from initial client sale to complete installation and training, and eventual transition to support.
- Managed all aspects of installations, including hardware and software configuration, team management, vendor coordination, and customer employee training within budgetary guidelines while achieving excellent customer satisfaction.
- Successfully planned and installed a complex point-of-sale system in the Treasure Island Hotel, billing an additional $100,000 in installation and training revenue.
- Increased post-sale revenue by analyzing customer needs and designing custom software modules.
- Facilitated successful installations by coordinating operational requirements across Accounting, Auditing, Food and Beverage Control, Retail Inventory Control, and Management Information Systems (MIS).
Project Manager
3 Years- Managed installation and maintenance of software, training, and handling new feature requests.
- Conducted system consultations to maximize customer product utilization and address specific needs.
- Resolved issues by creating on-site queries and customizations.
- Developed and delivered hands-on training seminars and help documentation.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
SQL DBA 6.0, 6.5, 7.0
- Project Management Certification UCSB
Skills
Detail-oriented project management
Resource allocation and scheduling
End-to-end process development
Employee development
Proficient in quality assurance methodologies
Effective communication of technical concepts
Timeline
Project Manager Remote
Self
03.2012 - 03.2020Read More
Project/Product Manager
Credit One Bank
07.2008 - 12.2010Read More
Director of Operations
Savings.com
09.2006 - 05.2007Read More
Director of Quality Assurance
Commission Junction, Santa Barbara, CA
01.2000 - 01.2005Read More
Director of Training, Project Manager
InfoGenesis, Santa Barbara, CA
01.1998 - 01.2000Read More
Microsoft SQL Consultant
Various
01.1997 - 01.2000Read More
Director QA, PM and PD
Pacer CATS(Ticketmaster)
01.1994 - 01.1998Read More
Corporate Trainer/ QA / Product Management
InfoGenesis, Santa Barbara, CA
01.1990 - 01.1994Read More
Project Manager
Viacom
01.1987 - 01.1990Read More
from Project Management Certification UCSB
Read More
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Science from Biological Sciences
Read More
Microsoft Certifications
SQL DBA 6.0, 6.5, 7.0
Read More